The Colorado Avalanche used their 214th overall pick in last weekend’s NHL Draft to select center. By most standards, a seventh-round selection like this makes him a longshot to reach the NHL.
Still, there are plenty of late-round success stories in league history. So why focus on a pick beyond No. 200? This one feels more personal to me as a fan—because of where Roed comes from.
Roed played in the USHL for the Tri-City Storm, a team based in my hometown. For those unfamiliar, “Tri-City” refers to Grand Island, Hastings, and Kearney—three mid-sized towns in Nebraska. (It’s pronounced “car-knee,” for the record.) Kearney is where I grew up, and it’s also home to the arena the Storm play in.
My family were early supporters of the Storm, just as I instantly became a fan of the Colorado Avalanche when they relocated from Quebec. My mom’s side of the family is from Colorado too, so the team always felt like home. Hockey was already a passion, but this team made it feel more local and accessible.
When the Storm launched in 2000, my parents and aunt were among the first to buy season tickets. I went to a ton of games in those early years—though I’ll admit, it’s been a while since I’ve attended. That means I missed Nolan Roed’s two seasons here.
However, I do remember catching a game when his older brother, Lleyton Roed, was on the roster between 2020 and 2022. I can’t recall the exact date, but I know it was one of the first events I attended after the pandemic lockdowns. Lleyton is now a prospect in the Seattle Kraken organization, playing for their AHL affiliate, the Coachella Valley Firebirds.
Storm in the pros?
Avalanche fans might be interested to know that Lleyton Roed’s former teammate with the Tri-City Storm was Gavin Brindley—who was just acquired by Colorado in the trade involving Charlie Coyle and Miles Wood ahead of the draft. It seems the Avs’ scouting department has a particular appreciation for alumni of the Storm program.
Over the years, several players who began their careers in my hometown have gone on to wear the Avalanche’s colors. Roed and Brindley are the latest additions, and they now form a trio of recent Tri-City connections to the organization, alongside defenseman Ronnie Attard, who was added just days ago—likely to strengthen the blue line for the AHL’s Colorado Eagles.
Other former Storm standouts to reach the NHL with Colorado include Nico Sturm and, more recently, Brandon Duhaime. Sturm notably hoisted the Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022 following a trade-deadline deal that sent Tyson Jost to Minnesota. And, interestingly enough, he just won another Cup this year with Florida.
I’m not necessarily saying the Avs should go after Sturm again at the 2025–26 deadline—but hey, it might not be a bad idea. At the very least, it’s probably a better and more affordable gamble than bringing in someone like Corey Perry.
Beyond Colorado, Tri-City Storm alumni have made their presence felt across the NHL. Matthew Knies, for instance, just signed a six-year extension to stay in Toronto and could end up earning a hefty payday. Meanwhile, center Mason Appleton made headlines this week by signing with Detroit after a stint in Winnipeg.
On the blue line, Blake Coleman (yes, originally a defenseman) earned two Stanley Cup rings with Tampa Bay. Jaden Schwartz—who has played more than 800 NHL games—owns a Cup from his time with the Blues and now serves as an alternate captain in Seattle.
I share all of this not just to shine a spotlight on my hometown team, but to highlight how many NHL-caliber players have emerged from this unassuming corner of Nebraska. The Tri-City Storm may not get much national attention, but their track record speaks volumes.
7th round? No sweat!
Starting an NHL journey in the 7th round might seem like the steepest climb. Statistically, the odds are long—but for the rare few who make it, the reward often feels even greater.
In some ways, going undrafted might actually be more appealing. Just look at the two contract extensions the Avalanche handed out this week: Sam Malinski and Parker Kelly both went undrafted, yet each carved out a spot in the league. Malinski is now on a one-year “prove it” deal, while Kelly earned long-term security thanks to his trademark grit.
With picks like Nolan Roed and also Lorenzo Dell’Elce, it appears the Avs front office is finding a middle ground with some smart strategy. They’re targeting so-called overagers—players passed over in previous drafts who’ve had extra time to mature and develop. Even Colorado’s top pick in 2024, goalie Ilya Nabokov, fits that mold. GM Chris MacFarland clearly values players who carry a chip on their shoulders.
That kind of internal fire often plays a big part in 7th-round success stories. Before the draft, I knew the Avs only had two picks (a 4th and a 7th) prior to the Coyle and Wood trade with Columbus. And even before Nolan Roed’s selection had personal significance for me, I had a hunch the 7th round would yield the most compelling storyline.
I started digging into past 7th-round success stories—and there’s plenty of inspiration to draw from. Take future Hall of Famer Joe Pavelski, who racked up over 1,000 points in more than 1,300 games. Or current stars like Ondrej Palat, a two-time Cup winner, and defenseman MacKenzie Weegar, a former All-Star—both taken in the 7th round.
There are Avalanche ties, too. Andrew Brunette enjoyed a long NHL career, including a stint with Colorado, and now serves as head coach of the Nashville Predators. And don’t forget the Avs’ first “Big Val,” Valeri Kamensky, who helped them win it all in 1996.
If you need a more direct connection, consider Radim Vrbata. Though he only began his career in Colorado, he ended up with over 600 points in more than 1,000 NHL games. Talent can be found throughout the draft—it’s just a matter of finding it, nurturing it, and maximizing its potential.
Nolan Roed might not be a household name—unless you’re from Minnesota, where he was born and is headed to play college hockey at St. Cloud State, or from Kearney, Nebraska, where I’m writing this now. But there’s real potential for him to become one of those 7th-round gems.
He led the Storm in scoring last season with 60 points in 61 games, evenly split between 27 goals and 33 assists. While I haven’t seen him play in person, I did reach out to my aunt—who still has her Storm season tickets—for some insight.
She told me Roed brings more than just offense: he’s a strong leader, a selfless player, and the kind of team-first guy you want in your locker room. Scoring in the USHL is one thing—but having those intangibles is what separates true pros from the rest.
After reflecting on this, I’ve made a personal promise not to let seasons pass without seeing some local hockey. I’ll make it a point to attend games again. This is a good reminder that wherever you are, supporting hockey at the grassroots level matters. If there’s a rink nearby, go catch a game.
Not that I needed another reason to cheer for Avalanche players at every level, but Nolan Roed has given me just that. And if he ever gets the call to join the big club in Colorado, my aunt and I already have a plan—we’re heading to Ball Arena.